
Surf Forecasts:
Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, ENE swell with 832 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kohala Lighthouse this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kohala Lighthouse in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 21s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kohala Lighthouse over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's switch over to the imperial units for a look at the same period.
It's a tough start to the outlook, I won't lie. From Monday the 14th right through to the 22nd of September, the wind is going to be your enemy. A persistent, fresh cross-shore breeze from the ENE at 18-25 mph is going to leave the ocean looking lumpy and chopped up. There's wave energy, with swell from 3ft to 8ft from the ENE, but the quality is just not there for a good surf. The combined energy is moderate to strong (between 122 and 824), but with those winds, you're just fighting a losing battle.
For the experienced surfers, Wednesday the 23rd of September shows a change. The swell is around 7ft from the East with a 10-second period, and the energy jumps to a very strong 1046. That's some serious power. But, the wind is still a fresh cross-shore at 18-22 mph, so it's still going to be lumpy. It's a step up from the junk we've been seeing, but it's not clean.
The only real standout in this whole 16-day forecast is the following weekend. Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of September. We finally get a break from the wind. Light offshore breezes from the NNW and N at 6 mph are going to make the ocean glassy. The swell drops to 3-4ft from the ENE and N, with a period of 8-10 seconds. The energy is moderate (205 to 333). It won't be big, but it will be clean. The spot is Kohala Lighthouse (Big Island). It's an advanced reef break, and with that offshore wind, the waves will have a nice face. It can get a few people out there sometimes, so you might not have it all to yourself, but this is the window you've been waiting for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
115 | 129 | 135 | 84 | 95 | 76 | 331 | 373 | 284 | 718 | 822 | 599 | 595 | 548 | 509 | 629 | 614 | 412 | 449 | 408 | 361 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:13PM0.55m | 5:49AM0.72m | 4:18PM0.49m | 6:41AM0.69m | 3:50PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.65m | 9:51AM0.65m | 11:15AM0.68m | 11:03PM0.30m | 12:03PM0.72m | 00:06AM0.36m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:13AM0.34m | 10:36PM0.12m | 12:07PM0.39m | 10:58PM0.14m | 1:42PM0.44m | 11:21PM0.17m | 11:52PM0.21m | 1:03AM0.25m | 8:26PM0.29m | 7:48PM0.28m | |||||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | E 14 | E 13 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | E 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
115 | 15 | 50 | 68 | 59 | 76 | 49 | 49 | 284 | 40 | 40 | 46 | 48 | 46 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 36 | 21 | 21 | 20 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | SW 22 | N 10 | SW 20 | SW 19 | NNE 8 | SW 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 7 | SW 20 | SW 19 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 14 | W 13 | W 12 |
3 | 18 | 8 | 60 | 59 | 32 | 3 | 16 | 40 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 19 | N 9 | SW 8 | NNE 8 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | N 12 | N 10 | — | — | — | W 8 | N 9 | N 11 |
4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 58 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
— | 129 | 135 | 84 | 95 | 62 | 331 | 373 | — | 718 | 822 | 599 | 595 | 548 | 509 | 629 | 614 | 412 | 449 | 408 | 361 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 71 | 71 | 69 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 73 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 73 | 73 | 57 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Kohala Lighthouse Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kohala Lighthouse provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kohala Lighthouse can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Kohala Lighthouse) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Kohala Lighthouse may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Kohala Lighthouse is 87 km (54 miles) from Kihei. If you plan a vacation in Big Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kihei. Kihei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










